June JADA explores oral contraceptive use and tobacco use in relation to alveolar osteitis

June 02, 2016

By Michelle Manchir

Smoking tobacco and using oral contraceptives are high-ranking risk factors for the occurrence of alveolar osteitis (AO), according to research published in the June issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association.

The article, “Risk Assessment and Sensitivity Meta-Analysis of Alveolar Osteitis Occurrence in Oral Contraceptive Users,” provides a perspective across 29 articles published in scientific literature.

“Our global meta-analysis robustly indicated: (1) females have a greater susceptibility to AO than males; (2) among females, oral contraceptive use significantly increases the average risk of AO occurrence by nearly two-fold; and (3) in 85.7 percent of the studies, smokers had an overall higher rate of AO than non-smokers,” said the article’s corresponding author, Diane Bienek, Ph.D., of the ADA Foundation Volpe Research Center.

The research suggests patients could consult with their dentist or oral surgeon to develop strategies to minimize AO risk. For example, females using oral contraceptives could consider scheduling the tooth extraction when the hormone levels are anticipated to be the lowest (i.e., the point in time in the oral contraceptive regimen when placebo pills are taken), Dr. Bienek said.

Other highlights of June JADA include a guide to ADA 2016 – America’s Dental Meeting; a look at the association between serum vitamin D levels and dental caries in children; and an evaluation of fissure sealant retention with and without the use of an adhesive system and using an etch-and-rinse or self-etching adhesive system.

It also includes a “For The Patient” page addressing the common questions regarding antibiotic prophylaxis.

Every month, JADA articles are published online at JADA.ADA.org in advance of print publication. The entire June issue is online at JADA.ADA.org.

In addition to print and online, readers can also access, read, share and search JADA from their phone or tablets. The JADA app is available for all iOS and Android devices through the App Store and Google Play.